“People are less understanding of us,” she says, “and it’s harder to come to terms with being bisexual or pansexual, because you want to be able to call yourself straight or gay.”

Matieshin, 18, called the Centre in September looking for a support group, and was put in touch with Selene, the other co-facilitator. Selene realized she was attracted to women three years ago and is now coming to terms with being bisexual while married to a man.

“When I was starting to have these feelings, I didn’t tell anybody,” she says. “I spent many nights trying to read about it.”

Selene called the Avenue Community Centre and was invited to join the women’s group.

“I wanted to talk to someone who felt the same way I did,” she says. “But the worker said, ‘we don’t have any groups [exclusively for bisexuals].’”

Together, with help from the Centre, Matieshin and Selene organized Bi-Group. About eight people, ranging in age from 18 to 62, showed up to the first two meetings. Conversation topics included polyamory and gender dysphoria.

Aside from telling her husband, Selene hasn’t come out to family and friends yet. She says she’s finding the support she needs at Bi-Group.

“They’re people I can talk to, and they’re not going to give me shit or ask me all these dumb questions,” she says. “They get it, and that’s all I wanted was someone who got it.”

Bi-Group is open to anyone interested in bisexual or pansexual issues. It meets every two weeks for social outings and discussions. For more information visit: www.avenuecommunitycentre.ca

Comments

The BI-Group that started up in Saskatoon is an excellent group. The first meeting I attended helped me to finally put the mark on who I am and what I am after wondering for 62 years. We talked about the definitions of the different sexual identities and genders and if we were comfortable with them. We talked to each other about it and discussed how we felt about it. The atmosphere was very relaxed and I would say that most were quite at ease when they were there. For me to come to a meeting as a coming-out type I felt quite at ease and relaxed. This is a very good group to attend.